Record Reviews

ERIC CLAPTON ~ ERIC CLAPTON (DELUXE EDITION) POLYDOR 877849 (Barcode: 602498396070) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2006 I still remember very well holding this album in my hands for the first time. It was 1970 and Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist was God! Clapton’s brilliant career, which developed in the late 1960’s from YardbirdsFind albums by this artist via John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist via CreamFind albums by this artist and finally Blind FaithFind albums by this artist created one of the mightiest Rock legends in all times, namely a Guitar Superstar (rivaled only by Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist). Clapton’s debut album as a solo artist was probably one of the most anticipated albums in the history of Rock. As usual in such cases, when Clapton’s fans (which numbered in many millions around the world) got eventually to hear the album, their consternation had no limits. It is hard to imagine the scale of the metamorphosis that Clapton went through in just a few months (at least in the public eye), which led to this album. He tried to run away from the Guitar Superstar image with all his might and the album includes (almost) no guitar solos, surely nothing even near to his extravagantly long improvisations he used to perform (especially in Cream). Many fans were of course bitterly disappointed and dismissed the album as “Pop”. The events that led to the album are as follows: During the 1969 Blind Faith US tour Clapton met Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonieFind albums by this artist, who were their act openers. A close musical friendship developed between them and when the Blind Faith tour was over (and the group practically disbanded) Clapton joined the Bramletts’ group and toured with them. A brilliant live album was recorded in 1969 (“On Tour With Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title”) and when Clapton started the recording sessions for his first solo album he invited the Bramletts and their excellent band to serve as the backbone of his studio cast. The album was recorded in the late 1969 and early 1970 in the US and UK. The result was a wonderful (and completely new) mixture of styles and genres, mostly rooted in American music, which included Blues, Gospel, Soul, Rhythm And Blues, Rock and Pop. This strange brew ;) worked exceptionally well and listening to this album without pre-conceptions is really great fun. Clapton delivers a lot of nice guitar licks (mostly in the background) and soulful vocals as well as a bunch of well-crafted songs (most were co-written with Delaney Bramlett). The supporting band is superb all the way and the result is a classic of the era. The new edition brings out a complete new mix of the album done by Delaney Bramlett, which is quite different from the originally released version mixed by the mighty Tom DowdFind albums by this artist, as well as a bunch of previously unreleased tracks. This is a splendid opportunity to find a space on your shelves for another classic.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend